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Zynga co-founder Justin Waldron leaving company

Zynga co-founder Justin Waldron has decided to leave the company after six years.

Zynga co-founder Justin Waldron has announced plans to leave the company. Waldron jumped into the Facebook market early, and went on to serve as lead designer for Zynga's first published game, Texas Hold'em Poker (later renamed Zynga Poker). He'd been there for more than six years.

"I've decided it's time to leave Zynga and venture off on my own again," Waldron wrote on Facebook (via Polygon). "It's been 6 and a half years since we pushed the button to launch our first game, and each moment since has been magic. It's incredibly humbling to have worked with such a talented team. I am grateful to have had the chance to help build a company that touched so many people. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it- both in the trenches and for playing the games."

Though Waldron wasn't as high-profile as fellow co-founder Mark Pincus, this does mark yet another senior member of the company heading for greener pastures. Chief creative officer Mark Verdu and chief operating officer John Schappert left last year, followed by chief game designer Brian Reynolds earlier this year. Former Microsoft exec Don Mattrick has since taken over as the new CEO, and he's trying to right the ship amid volatility and user loss.

Steve Watts

Editor-In-Chief

Steve Watts' youthful memories are are a blur of pixels, princesses, castles, and Mega Busters. After writing about games as a pastime for years, he got his first shot at a paid gig at 1UP. He's freelanced for several sites since then, and found a friendly home at Shacknews. His editorial duties include news, reviews, features, and lunatic ravings. He lives in the Baltimore-Washington area with his shockingly understanding wife.